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Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the cost to its budget since 1 May 1997 of fraud; and if he will make a statement. [27301] Malcolm Wicks: We are taking determined steps to combat internal fraud. We have published an internal fraud policy that sets out staff responsibilities, and appointed a senior accountable officer and a supporting central probity team. There are also security specialists and staff to investigate suspected internal fraud vigorously when it arises. We know that the overwhelming majority of staff are completely honest and trustworthy, and instances of internal fraud are not common, but we remain vigilant. The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in the current financial year. The available information for the Employment Service, as recorded by the former Department for Education and Employment, and for the former Department of Social Security is in the tables. Internal and contractor fraud in the Employment Service by financial year _________________________________________________________________________________________________. £ 1997-98 972,42.00 1998-99 54,107.01 1999-2000 45,621.83 2000-01 3,023.20 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Internal fraud in the former Department of Social Security by financial year _________________________________________________________________________________________________. £ 1997-98 942,378.74 1998-99 443,964.03 1999-2000 416,967.11 2000-01 71,112.34 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

27301; 380 c1256-7W;380 c1259-60W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Abuse Costs Fraud Finance Social security benefits

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk